DeSmith allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Penguins win over the Capitals last Tuesday. Tristan Jarry started the last four games but DeSmith will make his third start Saturday in New York. He's won his first two starts despite allowing seven goals on 49 shots (.857 SV%). The Rangers enter play having lost four of their last five, included two in a row to the Penguins last weekend.
Benn was on the ice for the Stars optional morning skate but will miss his third straight game due to a lower-body injury. His availability this morning suggests he could be ready for their weekend back-to-back in Carolina.
Hintz was a bit of a surprise scratch on Tuesday but was on the ice for Thursday's optional morning skate and will be a game-time decision vs. the Red Wings. Expect Hintz to reclaim his spot on the top line if he's able to go.
Oettinger will make his first career NHL start on Thursday. With Ben Bishop out long-term, Oettinger will get a few starts behind Anton Khudobin this season. The 22-year-old netminder was 15-16-4 with a 2.57 GAA and .917 SV% in the AHL last season. The former first-round pick has a strong pedigree and makes for a solid spot-start option against an injury riddled and bad Red Wings team.
Oettinger will make his first career NHL start on Thursday. With Ben Bishop out long-term, Oettinger will get a few starts behind Anton Khudobin this season. The 22-year-old netminder was 15-16-4 with a 2.57 GAA and .917 SV% in the AHL last season. The former first-round pick has a strong pedigree and makes for a solid spot-start option against an injury riddled and bad Red Wings team.
Benn was forced to leave Friday's season-opening win over the Predators with a lower-body injury and missed Saturday's practice. Jason Dickinson is expected to replace Benn on the Stars' top line if he can't go in Sunday's rematch.
Pavelski is expected to play a large role this season with Tyler Seguin out for months but this is not a good start. Pavelski is day-to-day pending further results from medicals and his status is something worth monitoring leading up to the season.
Barber is a former sixth-round pick (2012) who has been a terrific point producer at the AHL-level. The 26-year-old had 16 goals and 21 assists (37 points) in 46 AHL games a season ago and will start 2021 with Grand Rapids (AHL).
Petrovic spent the entire 2020 campaign with the Providence Bruins (AHL) and will likely do the same in Stockton (AHL) next year. Petrovic is a big, physical defenseman that can log NHL minutes if the Flames find themselves in a bind.
After spending the last three seasons in the Predators' organization, Blackwell hit the open market on Friday and signed on with the Rangers. In New York he could have a tough time cracking the opening night roster but he's a hard-working winger that could serve a role in the bottom-6 if injuries pop up. He had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 27 games with the Predators in 2020.
